The cafe aims to foster confidence in women who have survived the devastating attacks. It serves food, but also sells crafts and artwork by its employees, and has a library and gathering space for performances.

Pictures of the women's faces cover the walls, as do their handprints.

According to Acid Survivors International, thousands of women are attacked with acid around the world each year.

"There are many unreported cases of acid attacks where victims die, especially in rural areas. Sometimes people try to hide information if the attacker was the husband or a family member of the victim,'' Pragya Prasun, an acid attack survivor and activist, told DW.

The attacks can come from family disputes, jealousy, sex crimes or even cases mistaken identity.

Ritu Saini, one of the cafe's employees and an acid attack survivor, smiles outside the cafe. (Photo: Sheroes Hangout/Facebook)

Twenty-year-old Ritu Sainu, an employee at the cafe, faced 10 reconstructive surgeries after she rejected a romantic advance from her cousin, eventually losing one of her eyes.

“Before Sheroes, I used to cover my face,” she told the Wall Street Journal.